Part 21 (1/2)
”Do you think you can go to sleep?” asked Miss Elting, stooping over the rec.u.mbent Tommy.
”Not until I get thome coffee,” answered Tommy, gazing up soulfully into the anxious face of the guardian.
Margery laughed almost hysterically. It was the first laugh that had been heard in camp for some time, so it was welcome, helping to relieve the tension as it did. Tommy turned her eyes on her stout friend in a droll way which set Margery to giggling afresh.
The fire was crackling by this time. Harriet dragged Tommy's blanket up closer to it, that she might get some of its warmth. Ja.n.u.s, looking unusually solemn, was boiling water for the coffee.
”She had a pretty narrow escape,” he nodded, observing Harriet's eyes upon him.
”Indeed she did,” agreed Harriet, with a slight shudder.
”No more sleep for me this night,” cried Crazy Jane. ”It's my opinion that that wild Indian chief put a hoodoo on this rock, as well as on the lake below. I shouldn't be surprised at most anything happening here.”
”Yes. Suppose the wall should fall in?” suggested Margery, gazing apprehensively up the side of the granite wall, on which the light from the fire was reflected in arrow-like shafts.
”Will you stop that?” demanded Jane. ”Haven't we had trouble enough for one night without your suggesting anything else?”
”You started the subject yourself,” reminded Harriet.
”Who would like a bite to eat with her coffee?” interrupted the guardian. ”Tommy, would you like to have a biscuit?”
”Oh, no, thank you.”
”I would,” declared Margery.
”Yeth. Buthter ith never that.i.thfied. Thhe is always hungry,” taunted Tommy.
”And you've got over your scare,” added Jane significantly.
The guardian set out some biscuits and lumps of sugar on a piece of paper. The condensed milk was not brought. Everyone with the exception of Harriet and Tommy was possessed of keen appet.i.tes after their trying experiences. Ja.n.u.s, too, ate three biscuits and drank three cups of strong coffee.
”Better have some,” he urged, glancing at Harriet, who had refused the coffee.
”I guess Harriet is ill, too,” suggested Margery.
”I wish to sleep to-night. I shouldn't sleep a wink were I to drink that black stuff, nor will you.”
”You watch us and see,” chuckled Margery.
”Tommy, how did you come to get over the edge?” questioned the guardian, now that the little girl had begun to feel better.
”You certainly cannot blame our enemy for this accident,” declared Jane.
”I wonder if he did push Tommy over?” Margery's eyes were large as she voiced the question.
”Nonsense!” retorted Harriet Burrell.
”Yes. That's what I say,” agreed Miss Elting.
”I suppose she will lay it to me,” chuckled the guide.
”Yeth, I ought to,” nodded Tommy. ”But we agreed not to fight any more, didn't we?”